India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018: Probable playing XIs of India and Bangladesh, Key battles to watch out for
Pakistan pummelled, India will look to up the ante against Bangladesh, who have a penchant for playing the party poopers, in their opening Super Four encounter of the Asia Cup here Friday.
For India, the worry will be the team combination as Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the tournament owing to back spasms, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar might be rested after back-to-back games against Hong Kong and Pakistan.
It will be interesting to see the team combination of Indian team, who had only a day rest after two back to back matches in the Asia Cup 2018.
Pandya injury can make a place for returning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who played his last ODI in June 2017.
From past few years, India vs Bangladesh has turned into a heated clash between the neighbouring nations. Bangladesh have become a quality side in 50-over format and no one can doubt their abilities to pull off an upset in big tournaments.
Here are some of the key battles between India and Bangladesh players look forward to:
1. Rohit Sharma vs Mustafizur Rahman
Every time when these to team clash this battle is worth watching as Rahman always tends to create problems for Indian opener. Rohit must continue his good form against Bangladesh to lead his team to the victory line as a skipper. The interesting thing about this duo is that they both play for same franchise Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
2. Jasprit Bumrah vs Shakib Al Hasan
The backbone of Bangladesh side is not up to his best form but the player like him can snatch away the game from the opposition hands any time. While India have a perfect bowler to dismantle Bangladesh batting order with his toe-crushing Yorkers, Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm fast bowler is world no.1 ranked bowler in ODI’s and will be a crucial player for the Indian team in the opening game of Super four stage in Asia Cup 2017.
3. Kuldeep Yadav vs Mushfiqur Rahim
Former Bangladesh skipper is in great form as he led his team to an outstanding win over Sri Lanka in the opening game of Asia Cup. He scored 144 runs and smashed the Lanka bowlers all over the ground. Rahim is known for building partnership with players in middle over and Indian team has the perfect bowler in Kuldeep who a specialist in is breaking them. The left arm chinaman is the key wicket taker for the Indian team in the middle overs of the innings and his spell would be crucial for the Indian team in the clash against Bangladesh.
What to expect:
India will enter in the match as favourites but the injury woes could create some problems for the Men in Blue. Mushfiqur Rahim form will decide the game for Bangladesh side.
Predicted XI of India and Bangladesh
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
